It's a pitching day for my MLB player props on Thursday, looking at a couple strikeout lines for recently-signing National League pitchers.
With focus on Jordan Montgomery and Jordan Hicks, check out my two MLB player props for June 27th:
June 27th MLB Strikeout Prop: Jordan Montgomery Under 3.5 Ks (+120)
Twins vs Diamondbacks Matchup Preview - Game Time: 3:40 pm ET
Jordan Montgomery has been a bit better lately, allowing five earned runs in his last three starts. But he's still not consistent with the strikeouts. Montgomery has had under 3.5 Ks in five of his last 10 outings, averaging 3.7 Ks in those 10 starts.
The Twins, his opponent tonight, present a significant challenge for Monty, too. Minnesota hitters rock Montgomery, historically, owning a .293 collective average and .897 OPS in 92 career at-bats.
Minnesota's lineup also just does not strike out. The Twins own the second-lowest team strikeout rate in June (17.6%). Opposing starters haven't surpassed 3.5 Ks in the last five games against the Twins.
June 27th MLB Strikeout Prop: Jordan Hicks Over 4.5 Ks (-106)
Cubs vs Giants Matchup Preview - Game Time: 3:45 pm ET
I know that Jordan Hicks is 'just' averaging 4.2 strikeouts per start in his last 10 outings. But I think there's some K upside here. For starters, Hicks is averaging 6.9 Ks per outing overall this year and he faces a soft opponent tonight.
The Cubs have the seventh-highest team strikeout rate in baseball this month (24.2%) and have allowed over 4.5 Ks to opposing starters in four of their last five games.
Current Cubs batters also kinda suck against Hicks, historically. Chicago batters have a collective .176 average and .599 OPS against Hicks. Key Cubs bats like Dansby Swanson (.167), Seiya Suzuki (.000), and Cody Bellinger (.167) are all hitting under .200 in their careers against Hicks.
